Collection of nonperishable food items for Franklin Mall Christmas project now underway

Collection of nonperishable food items for the annual Franklin Mall Christmas Project to benefit Sandwich-area residents and families in need is underway and will continue through Dec. 13.

In addition to providing grocery boxes and gift card to families and individuals in the community, 250 cheer boxes filled with cookies and candy will be assembled and delivered to seniors and shut-ins in their homes, in nursing homes, the hospital or in senior housing.

Members of the Sandwich Lions Club will don Santa suits and beards to deliver the holiday treats on or near Christmas Eve.

In years past, the community has provided dozens and dozens of homemade cookies and candies to fill the cheer boxes. Unfortunately, COVID-19 made it necessary to forgo the homemade treats in 2020. That will be the case again in 2021. Since all treats distributed to the public must come from licensed kitchens, Angie Davis of Angie’s Sugar Buzz Bakery has come to the aid of the Lions in fulfilling this need. This year, as was the case in 2020, boxes provided by the Lions will be filled with treats from the Sugar Buzz kitchen.

Monetary donations in support of the Franklin Mall project are being accepted anytime. These will help fund all phases of the project. Those wishing to donate may do so by sending checks, payable to Franklin Mall Christmas Project, to the First National Bank, Attn. Samantha King, 100 W. Church St., Sandwich, IL 60548 or to the Sandwich Lions Club, PO Box 32, Sandwich, IL 60548. Cash or checks can also be dropped off at the First National Bank.

Those wishing to make referrals of individuals or families in need of a food box this year should call Lion Karen Spangler at 815-786-2189 no later than December 6. Past recipients who would like to remain on the list also are asked to call Spangler to confirm their address information.